About Théodore Todros Cerf-Berr

Membre du Grand Sanhédrin de Napoléon.

Théodore's Father: Cerf Berr

Cerf-Berr, an Alsatian Jew, Théodore's father, rendered great service to the French government as purveyor to the army, was the interpreter of the Jews before Louis XVl. The humane minister Malesherbes summoned a commission of jewish notables to make suggestions for the amelioration of the condition of their co-religionists. This commission included Théodore's father, Cerf Berr , and eminent representatives of the Portuguese Jews of Bordeaux and Bayonne, like Furtado, Gradis, Isaac Rodrigues, Lopez Dubec, etc.

The direct result of the efforts of these men was the abolition, in 1784, of the degrading poll-tax and the permission to settle in all parts of France.